'Lodge Farm Quarry Protest'

Welford Against Quarrying

Minutes of a meeting of the new Welford Action Group, Welford Against Quarrying, which took place at Welford Village Hall at 7.30pm on Friday, 12 November 2004 re the proposal for the extraction of gravel from the village by Northants County Council.

Present
Alan Ainsworth Ian Wardleworth Chris Cox
David Funnell Jo Scaife Alexis Widdowson
Pam Lane Martin Garrod Sue Onderka
Pam Sutton Jonathan Leech Paula Draper
Tim Lewis Mike Keep

Sue Onderka opened the meeting, suggesting that the first job that needed to be done was to elect a chairman for the Action Group. Paula Draper nominated Jonathan Leech, which was unanimously seconded.

Sue said that the Parish Council had already collated a pack to be distributed around the village. This consisted of a copy of the NCC objection representation form, a guidance letter from the Parish Council about the form, and a flyer for windows. She also said that they had donated £500 to assist the Action Group.

Jonathan suggested that two separate mail drops were made, one immediately with the above pack, if possible speaking to each occupant to collect signatures on a petition, and also to explain how the form is worded that it invites every eligible person to submit more than one objection, therefore 9 or 10 could go out from each! There are almost 1000 residents on the electoral register in Welford. Then that also a circular should be sent around giving details of WAQ, with the opportunity for other villagers to join the group, including any with a professional background that may be able to advise the group, and reinforcing the bullet points which villagers could adopt as well as their own reasons on the representation form, particularly villagers who will be affected more than others by the proposed quarry. The key objective was to get as many objections to the Council as possible. It was stated that on a similar proposal which was refused, the council received 460 objections. The objections have to be in by 9th December 2004.

The form states that ‘only objections to the first draft plan can be accepted at this stage’ – Because the major change is the fact that the proposed sites include Welford, the objections made can be anything which is in connection with our village. Statistics about the required quantity of gravel to be extracted across the county were included in the first draft, so these can not be used in the objections.

Grounds for objection

The grounds of objection were those gathered from the meeting at the Church on 4th November, and it was agreed that each should be designated to a member of the Action Group to be responsible for setting out the grounds and initial research and material for each.

1. Physical Impact
Subsidence, Buffer Zones, and the lowering of the water table, subsidence, reduced moisture content of land, effect on the canal and any other aspects from an engineering point of view - David Furnell

2. Access
The Unsuitability of using the Kilworth Road and Court Lane for lorries to gain access to the site, road safety - Welford Traffic Action Group (contract Bill Wright)

3. Natural Water Supplies
Which directly involves the Leadham family whose farm borders the site, and whose water supply comes direct from a natural spring. Tim Lewis will speak to the Leadhams to ensure an input from their viewpoint.

4. Pollution
Air/Noise/Dust created which will affect the villagers, land and crops. It was stated that this was one of the main reasons why a proposed site near Corby had been withdrawn. Ian Wardleworth said he would speak to Mrs Bevin, who is a nurse, and also Dr Dowell about implications and to get some figures if possible on current asthma statistics in the area.

5. Environmental Impact & Site of Special Scientific Interest
Need to find out more about the Old Bosworth Mill and any other possible archaeological sites in the area, also information about wildlife, flora and fauna species. Tim Lewis will contact various outside groups for info, eg Defra.

6. Loss of amenities.
The proposal will involve the closure of many bridleways/footpaths and impact on the use and enjoyment of the canal by residents and visitors. It was suggested that we look into computer modelling – superimposing a draft of the quarry plan onto present pictures to give an impression of the actual affect the quarry will have on these areas. Martin Garrod said he would look into this, and contact John Haynes who has several aerial photos which could be used.

7. Visual Impact
Ian Wardleworth said he would look at this area. It would help to get representation from surrounding villages, particularly South Kilworth as they will also be directly affected by the proposed quarry.

8. Cumulative Impact
9. Selection of Welford Site
Jonathan Leech had already been looking at these aspects, so volunteered to take these on. Paula Draper has also asked when Lafarge drilled bore holes to analyse the area. She was told officially two years ago. Jonathan has asked for full details from Mr Chant at NCC to how Welford was analysed to be included in the second draft plan for the quarry, the capability and suitability of this site, and comparative analysis that has led to the conclusion that Welford should be included (suspected none!) He has given Mr Chant 7 days to respond to this, and a copy of the letter has gone to Phil Salford. He has doubts that NCC are playing by the rules, if not Mr Sawford needs to be involved, and the situation needs pushing to government level.

Issues relating to suitability of the Welford site will include lack of proximity to areas of development where the sand and gravel extracted is likely to be used.

10. Quality of Agricultural Land
Tim Lewis will also look at this, as the farm land surrounding the proposed quarry is of a very good quality, Mr Boardman who farms there thinks it could be grade 2 soil, and that this was a major factor in the withdrawal of a previous proposal.

11. Damage to Local Businesses
Mike Keep will look more into this.

12. Reinstatement
the hazard created by a large unfilled hole, and lack of any detail of proposed fill or other means of reinstatement.

13. Impact on the canal
Ian Wardleworth will talk to Mr and Mrs Bradbeer in relation to the potential impact of the quarry on canal residents.

14. Impact on tourism
Alexis Widdowson proposed the effect on tourism as an additional ground for objection.

The meeting prompted many more questions and queries about the proposal –

Are the council obliged to let us know more info about the analysis and selection of the site? Jonathan said that from Jan 2005, under the Freedom of Information Act, we are entitled to see all the information available.

Have Lafarge or NCC made any gradings on the sand or gravel at the site? It would not be possible to make concrete from these materials if they do not come under these gradings. There is no explanation in the proposal documents to indicate any gradings, or how they intend to dress the stone if it doesn’t conform.

Is it possible for Lafarge to extend the belt they use on the other side of the road to go underneath the canal to extract the gravel?

Will the gravel be used in this county? Welford is not marked for development, so it will not be used within the village.

The land is believed to be owned by Wakefield Trust.

Other action
It was also decided that local press and television should be approached. Jonathan will speak to Mark Fletcher to ascertain whether he would be happy to take on a publicity role. If so, Jonathan will pass on contact details for Tim Healy, a reporter for the Leicester Mercury.

Phyllis Hayhurst would be approached to speak to a contact at the Harborough Mail,

Ian Wardleworth will speak to a contact at the Leicester Mercury, and Mark Fletcher would be asked to be head of PR for the group.

Jonathan said he would write to Phil Sawford and make contact with Jim Corkill, the local Labour party co-ordinator.

Sue Onderka said she would speak to Welford School, and Scouts in the hope that we could get some input from the local children.

Jonathan will circulate to the group by email a proposed maildrop setting out what the group is doing. Once this is approved it will be distributed around Welford and surrounding villages (distribution to be arranged via contact with neighbouring parish councils).

The meeting was closed at 9.30pm, with the prospect of the first door to door maildrop over the weekend. It was requested that the individuals responsible for the separate bullet points would gather info together over the next week, ready for another meeting on Monday 22nd or Tuesday 23 November 2004(depending on availability), in order to produce this ready for another maildrop around the village, and to distribute to the Council.